McMillan among those perplexed by Oden's injury

Bruce Ely/The OregonianGreg Oden, who hasn't played since the All-Star break, missed tonight's game against Houston.

HOUSTON - Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan has joined the ranks of the confused and curious in regard to Greg Oden's injured left knee, which caused the rookie center to miss his fourth game in a row on Tuesday.

"I'm where everybody else is with it," McMillan said. "I get a daily update and we thought, everybody thought, that he would be moving by now, if not playing. But things just keep getting bumped back."

The injury is a chipped knee cap, suffered when Oden collided with Golden State's Corey Maggette on Feb. 12. At the time, Oden went to the floor in pain, but went on to play about six more minutes.

"I just thought I would get some ice and get it over with," Oden said Tuesday. "It turned out to be bigger."

Or longer, to be more precise. Initially, Oden thought he would be back for the Blazers' first game after the All-Star Break. Now, there's no guarantee he will play again in February.

He has been ruled out for today's game in San Antonio, and McMillan said Oden has to show him he can run in Thursday's practice before he thinks about playing him Friday at Minnesota.

"It goes from day-to-day, then after the doctors look at him, it's a few more days," McMillan said, shaking his head.

Oden said the knee is improving and that the decision to return has been left up to him.

"The doctor said it depends how I feel," Oden said. "If I feel I can go out and play, I can go out and play. I'm just trying to make sure it is better. I don't want to re-injure it if I do come back."

McMillan said he has become worried about the injury, although he said he has been assured by team doctors that this will not turn into a long-term setback. He also said surgery is not an option.

"We are in a part of the season where we need our bigs," McMillan said. "This (Houston) game is the perfect time to have Greg. Against San Antonio, too."

Oden, meanwhile, offered a glimmer of hope on Tuesday.

"It's getting better, getting better," Oden said. "It's a lot better than a couple of days ago. But right now, I'm taking my time and gradually doing a little bit more."

The injury is not on the knee that was surgically repaired in September of 2007.